SIXTY YEARS OF BENIDORM From a coastal municipality to a city of skyscrapers

Most towns in recent decades have undergone a major urban transformation.

A good example of this is Benidorm, which has gone from being just small another coastal town to sporting a silhouette full of skyscrapers, which have developed tourism its main economic engine.

It is now the third city in the number of tall buildings in Europe. Thanks to the General Urban Plan, in 1956, Benidorm was able to build high and to reach for the skies, and today it has the tallest skyscraper in Spain.

Following behind London and Milan, it is in the top three in the concentration of tall buildings, and behind Barcelona and Madrid in the total number of skyscrapers in Spain. This also places it amongst the top cities with the highest number of skyscrapers in the world, with seven of the 20 tallest buildings in Spain.

At number one in the ranking is the Intempo building, which is 202 metres high, has 49 floors and is number 5 in the national ranking. One of the peculiarities of this building is that it is only for residential use.

The Intempo is followed by the Gran Hotel Bali, located in La Cala de Benidorm, of 186 metres and 52 floors, opened on May 17, 2002, thus becoming the tallest hotel in Europe.

The bronze medal goes to Torre Lúgano. This is a building that is 158 metres high with a total of 43 floors for residential use. This building is the tenth tallest in Spain and houses 204 homes. It is the second tallest active residential building in Spain.

Another of the tallest buildings in Benidorm is the Neguri Gane, reaching up 148 metres and 43 floors. The most outstanding characteristic of this building is its rounded shapes, as a cylindrical base plan was used in its construction.

There is also the Kronos building, 140 metres high and with 41 floors, located in the Levante beach area, at the entrance to Benidorm.

Another emblematic and monumental building is the Don Jorge building, which is 124 metres high and has 36 floors. It is located in the Rincón de Loix area, near the Torre Lúgano and the next skyscraper, the Mirador del Mediterráneo.

Finally, the seventh tallest skyscraper in Benidorm, and the 20th in Spain, is the Mirador del Mediterráneo, with 123 metres and 35 floors. This monumental building is made up of 2 towers joined in a common core from the foundations to the seventh floor.

The Councilor for Culture,Santiago Parra,made the announcement of the 24th edition of the "European Days of Jewish Culture at the Archaeological Museum last week. An annual event that is arranged by the Lorca department of tourism, where the historical,environmental, artistic and cultural heritage of Lorca is revealed.It is a legacy of the Jewish communities that inhabited it long ago.

The municipality,which has been part of the Red de Juderías de España network since 2019,celebrates the event in conjunction with the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage,and with the aim of highlighting the diversity,richness and historical importance of

Judaism.

Like each edition,this year presents a common theme for all countries,and in 2023 the event is dedicated to the concept of "Memory"; the key,collective and individual,that has maintained and promoted the history of Jewish culture throughout the centuries.

The program covers the entire month of September with a complete and very diverse range of events,appointments and representations,which will take place in incomparable settings in the municipality: the Synagogue,the Jewish Quarter,the Archaeological Museum,the Medieval Museum,the Castle Stables.

These will be some of the key venues for this exceptional event.Also added is gastronomy with a Sephardic flavor,presentations of literary works, historical recreations,guided,dramatised and streaming tours .

All the details about the activities and the schedules can be found at lorcatallerdeltiempo.es,lorcaturismo.es, and in the Agenda of redjuderias.org.

To enjoy them to the fullest,the organization insists that it is essential for visitors to make a prior reservation.

The Church of JESUS CHRISTof Latter-Day Saints in Torrevieja meet at 10.00 each Sunday in their chapel at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia, 104. All Welcome. Phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 659 016 733

Join us at the SALTCHURCH Sundays at 10.30 am. We are a friendly church, bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship. Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, PolÌgono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. We look forward to meeting you. www.Saltchurchspain.

Facebook SaltChurchSpain

International Christian Assembly, Calle Beniajan 14, Torrevieja -Evangelical Church. Sunday Service 11 a.m.; - Contact 966 799 273 / 660 127 276. Evangelical non-denominational church. www.icatorrevieja.org

The Car of the Month at AUTOMOVILES CRESPO is a very attractive 2019 Ford Ecosport ST-Line Petrol which is priced at just 17,900 euro.

Come along to our large showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers. See page7. We can assure you of the biggest and best choice of new and used cars in the area for price, choice and quality.

ENGLISH SPOKEN

Los Alc·zares Digital Camera Club. Interested in photography? We invite you to come and join us at our twice monthly meetings. Please contact coordinatorladcc@ gmail.com or see http://www.los-alcazarescamera.club/ for details.

COMMUNITYCARE ASSOCIATION (CCA) Open to residents of Orihuela Costa over 60 years of age. Located at the Centro Civico Alameda del Mar. Open 3 times a week for a programme of English speaking activities, support, information and advice with the support of Orihuela Council. Anyone wanting to join CCAsocial activities can pop along.

Open 2pm -6pm Mondays and Thursdays, Wednesday 2pm - 5pm. You can register between 1pm & 2pm on those days, in the Cafe area where you will find Eva or Norah. email: communitycare@gmail.com

RAGS CLUB (previously Friendship Centre). Every Tuesday Lunchtime, From a Bun to a Banquet. At Graceys - upstairs La Zenia park in Lidl Carpark. COME AND PLAYRUMMIKUB.

Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50ís. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Home Visiting Team to visit a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. Call into our centre at C/Paganini s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887. Or email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es

Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch now meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 5pm at the Lakeview bar/restaurant, Quesada. For more info contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on +44 7576 117 222, Secretary Steve Hemingfield 0n Mob/Whats 711 011 373 The RAFACosta Blanca RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the RAFAand the RMG is via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk.

Business Opportunity: LOOKING FOR Silent Business Partner for small Private Care Home. Invest 10K and get 20K back in 14 months. 747 438 225 (4)

Law Services: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR, Solicitor, Debt Collections, Bad Tenants. 747 438 225 (4)

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